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You are here > Home > What's On > Family Events

Family Events

For guaranteed fun for all the family check out our list of events taking place across the county.

Whether you are looking for things on this weekend, or looking for what's on today, we have all the amazing events for a great days out with the kids.

Create lasting memories with your loved ones at Durham's family-friendly events. Explore a diverse array of kid-friendly activities, family festivals, and interactive outings that cater to all ages. From educational workshops to entertaining performances, Durham offers a vibrant calendar of events designed to bring families together. Stay informed about the latest family-friendly happenings, and plan your weekends with the exciting array of cultural and recreational activities that Durham has to offer.

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Number of results: 42

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  1. Two staff perched on Victorian steam locomotive ‘Sir Berkeley’.

    Add Festival of Transport 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Festival of Transport 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Beamish

    Join us for a Festival of Transport as part of May Half Term!

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 May 2026
    More info for Festival of Transport 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  2. A bee on a purple flower in a wild flower meadow.

    North Pennines NatureFest

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    North Pennines NatureFest is packed with events that celebrate nature, heritage and the landscape in the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to7 June 2026
    More info for North Pennines NatureFest
  3. Crowds of people enjoying the Durham Fringe Festival on Palace Green, Durham city.

    Add Durham Fringe Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Between 29th July and 2nd August 2026, Durham Fringe Festival will host a spectacular array of performing arts.  Genres include theatre, music, stand-up comedy, comedy theatre, magic, spoken word, cabaret, dance, physical theatre, circus, and…

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2026to2 Aug 2026
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival 2026
  4. Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Add Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Chester-Le-Street

    Lumley Castle Hotel at Chester-le-Street, County Durham, will be the backdrop for Opulence, running on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September.

    While the big-name performers are not being unveiled until later this month, organisers have promised it will…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Sept 2026to5 Sept 2026
    More info for Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel
  5. Adult and child enjoying The High Force Carrot Patch Trail.

    Add Kids Fun: The High Force Carrot Patch Trail to your Itinerary

    Kids Fun: The High Force Carrot Patch Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Forest-in-Teesdale, Durham

    Breathe in the fresh spring air and hop into a world of fun at High Force Hotel & Waterfall! Our brand‑new Carrot Patch Trail is waiting for little explorers who love adventures with a sprinkle of Easter magic.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026to19 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Kids Fun: The High Force Carrot Patch Trail
  6. Two children in The Plotters' Forest pointing to a dragon hatching from an egg at Raby Castle.

    Add The Plotters' Forest Dragon Quest - Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    The Plotters' Forest Dragon Quest - Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Staindrop

    February Half Term Fun at The Plotters’ Forest Adventure Playground.

    Step into a world of wonder on our brand-new Dragon Quest, weaved amongst the winding paths of our Christmas tree plantation. This family-friendly adventure invites little…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2026to29 Mar 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Plotters' Forest Dragon Quest - Raby Castle
  7. High Force Waterfall

    Add The High Force Space Adventure Trail to your Itinerary

    The High Force Space Adventure Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Forest-in-Teesdale

    Spark your little one's curiosity on all things astronomy and space, whilst reaping the benefits of the outdoors in the beautiful setting of High Force Hotel & Waterfall. It is the perfect way to explore the wonders of the night sky, during the day!

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2026to29 Mar 2026
    More info for The High Force Space Adventure Trail
  8. Rapunzel written in gold on a purple background.

    Add Rapunzel - Gala Durham Pantomime to your Itinerary

    Rapunzel - Gala Durham Pantomime

    Type

    Type:

    Pantomimes

    Durham City

    In the dark, tangled forest of Hamsterley stands a mysterious tower, locals swear they can hear beautiful singing drifting through the trees, a voice so pure it stops even the bravest woodcutter in their tracks.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Nov 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Rapunzel - Gala Durham Pantomime
  9. Grand Finale all cast of Kynren view from the tribune

    Add Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026 to your Itinerary

    Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Performance

    Bishop Auckland

    Step into Kynren, a live action outdoor theatre spectacular that immerses you in 2000 years of history on an epic scale.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to12 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026
  10. Durham Miners' Gala. Crowds enjoying the Gala outside of the County Hotel. Colliery Banners can be seen as the Bands march through the streets.

    Durham Miners' Gala 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Durham City

    The Durham Miners' Gala returns on 11th July 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    11 July 2026
    More info for Durham Miners' Gala 2026
  11. Crowds gather in rainbow colours to celebrate Durham Pride.

    Add Durham Pride 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham Pride 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Don't miss out on this opportunity to show your support and have a great time with friends and family. See you there!

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026
    More info for Durham Pride 2026
  12. Trains at Locomotion

    Add Pride at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Pride at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Shildon

    Celebrating diversity in partnership with Durham Pride, including our Trainbow craft activity.

    Dates

    From:
    24 May 2026
    More info for Pride at Locomotion
  13. Crowds enjoy show jumping at Weardale Show.

    Add 156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026 to your Itinerary

    156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    St. Johns Chapel

    The Weardale Show returns on Saturday 29th August 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Aug 2026
    More info for 156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026
  14. Two members of staff holding knitted Easter items such as eggs, chicks, and hens.

    Add Easter Celebrations - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Easter Celebrations - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Beamish

    Enjoy an Egg-cellent Easter at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Apr 2026to19 Apr 2026
    More info for Easter Celebrations - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  15. Durham Brass Festival logo on colourful backdrop of Durham.

    Durham Brass Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    BRASS is back in 2026 with a fantastic programme of brass-inspired events coming to Durham from 12 - 19 July. 

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026to19 July 2026
    More info for Durham Brass Festival 2026
  16. Ariel view of Wolsingham Show

    Add Wolsingham Show 2026 to your Itinerary

    Wolsingham Show 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    Wolsingham

    Celebrate the county’s farming life at England’s oldest and Durham’s biggest open-air Agricultural show. A jam-packed weekend of family-friendly entertainment.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2026to6 Sept 2026
    More info for Wolsingham Show 2026
  17. The Craft & Producers' Marquee at Durham Christmas Festival

    Add Durham Christmas Festival to your Itinerary

    Durham Christmas Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham Market Place, Durham City

    Durham Christmas Festival returns – the perfect combination of Christmas shopping and seasonal entertainment in the unique and stunning setting that is Durham City Centre.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Christmas Festival
  18. The Plotters' Forest Mischievous Rabbit Trail

    Add The Plotters' Forest Mischievous Rabbit Trail to your Itinerary

    The Plotters' Forest Mischievous Rabbit Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Staindrop

    Families are invited to pick up a trail sheet at the entrance and embark on an exciting adventure through our Christmas Tree plantation. As you explore the winding paths, look for giant, colourful eggs hidden along the way. It’s the perfect outdoor…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026to19 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Plotters' Forest Mischievous Rabbit Trail
  19. Cartoon image of the performance area with a stage, trees, hills and a yellow aeroplane with a banner with wording Derwent Fest!

    Add Derwent Fest 2026 to your Itinerary

    Derwent Fest 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Edmundbyers

    A weekend festival of live tribute music, food and drink, and children’s activities and entertainment, set in a stunning location, not far from you. Bring all the family, including the dog, and enjoy some fun, quality time together.

    Venue

    Derwent Waterside Park, Shotley Bridge

    Dates

    From:
    14 Aug 2026to15 Aug 2026
    More info for Derwent Fest 2026
  20. The Flying Scotsman Locomotive in front of Locomotion, Shildon

    Add The Railway Garden - Easter at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    The Railway Garden - Easter at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Shildon

    Easter holiday activities celebrating nature and the railways.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Apr 2026to19 Apr 2026
    More info for The Railway Garden - Easter at Locomotion
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